Identifying Current Barriers in Patient Educational Content Surrounding Rectal Prolapse and Rectocele: Using...

Area of Science:

• Pelvic floor disorders
• Patient education
• Medical animation

Background:

• Patient-centered educational resources for rectal prolapse and rectocele are often hard to find and understand.
• Video animations can serve as effective, patient-specific educational tools for these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine female patients' preferences for learning about rectal prolapse and rectocele.
• To gather feedback on a video animation designed to improve patient education on these conditions.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study involving a 20-question survey on educational preferences and a 100-second video animation.
• Participants also engaged in semi-structured interviews for in-depth feedback.
• Surveys were emailed and interviews conducted virtually between 2022 and 2023.

Main Results:

• 97% of participants found the video animation clearly explained the conditions, and 66% felt more comfortable discussing them.
• Patients identified challenges with online information, including difficulty finding content (41.5%), complex language (18.8%), and source reliability concerns (16.9%).
• Recommendations included using the animation during initial appointments and developing similar content for surgical preparation.

Conclusions:

• Short video animations are valuable for improving patient comprehension of rectal prolapse and rectocele.
• Accessible, patient-centered resources for pelvic floor disorders are needed.
• Limitations include a small, socioeconomically and educationally homogenous sample.